Infant and neonatal deaths in Poland in 1995-2015

AIM: The aim of the study was the analysis of trends of infant and neonatal mortality in Poland in 1995-2015, overall and by gestational age, main groups of causes and age at death. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from birth and death certificates from 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2014 and 2015 were used. Infant, neonatal, postneonatal, perinatal and gestational age – specific mortality rates were presented. Main groups of causes of deaths were determined according to the International Classification of Diseases ICD-10. RESULTS: In Poland, in 1995-2015 infant mortality decreased more than three-fold, similarly to neonatal and postneonatal mortality. Early neonatal mortality decreased almost four-fold, stillbirths rate - twofold and perinatal mortality - almost three-fold. The progress, to the greatest extend was related to preterm births. Infant mortality in this group decreased from 128.5 per 1000 preterm live births in 1995 to 36.8 in 2015. The main causes of all infant deaths are perinatal conditions and congenital anomalies. CONCLUSIONS: The decrease of infant and neonatal mortality has been continued in the last twenty years and affected mainly preterm births born from the shorter and shorter gestations, what implicates growing demand for long lasting health care and rehabilitation. Deaths of infants and neonates born at term and not related to congenital anomalies are relatively rare and need individual assessment.